FORMER Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to withdraw from Club Brugge’s side to face Arsenal at the 11th hour.
The Belgian outfit already knew they were facing an uphill battle to pick up a positive result against the Gunners at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Arsenal were looking to bounce back after they were consigned to a late defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.
And Mikel Arteta’s side were also aiming to remain top of the Champions League table.
But Club Brugge’s plans ahead of the showdown with the North Londoners were ruined when veteran shot-stopper Mignolet had to pull out of the starting line-up at the last minute.
He picked up an injury during the pre-match warm-up, leading to Dani van den Heuvel having to be drafted in as his replacement.
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Mignolet, 37, has only been handed eight outings this season after combating adductor issues.
He also had to be substituted midway through Club Brugge’s loss to Royal Antwerp last weekend.
The Belgian headed back to his homeland in 2019, when Liverpool agreed a £6million exit.
Mignolet won the Champions League during his time at Anfield, making 204 appearances along the way.
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The shot-stopper had a three-year stint with Sunderland before joining Liverpool in 2013.
And Mignolet has gone on to enjoy a trophy-laden spell on Club Brugge’s books.
He has won four Jupiler Pro League titles and the Belgian Super Cup on three occasions.
The Belgian Cup was also added to his personal haul when Club Brugge beat Anderlecht in the final earlier this year.
But he is in serious danger of making an early exit from the Champions League.
Mignolet was bizarrely booked for celebrating in the referee’s face after saving a penalty against Monaco in September.
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